A condiment used extensively in North African cuisine, preserved lemons don't taste like fresh lemons at all, and you really can't substitute one for the other. Preserved lemons, pickled in a salty brine, taste most like capers -- a mildly fruity and floral flavor that adds a surprising bite to soups and stews -- and you can slip them into dishes that usually call for capers. Best of all, It's incredibly easy to make them in your own kitchen. All you need are lemons, kosher salt, a glass jar, and a little bit of patience.

Cooking or baking?Cooking. In tagines and stews, in fish dishes, and in olive tapenades.

Storage:In the refrigerator. As long as the lemons are covered with brine, they will keep for up to one year.

Directions

In a frying pan, heat the oil over low heat. Add the onions and sausage, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes, until the sausage is lightly browned on both sides.

Transfer onions and sausage to a 4-quart slow cooker, along with the remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, until the rice is tender. Check the level of liquid during that time; if necessary, add 1 cup of water to keep the lentils from sticking.

Serve hot, garnished with additional minced preserved lemon rind, or allow to cool completely and freeze for up to six months. When you are ready to reheat, you'll probably have to add water or more stock, as the lentils and rice will absorb every bit of liquid you give them.

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Welcome to The Perfect Pantry®

My name is Lydia Walshin. From my tiny kitchen in Boston's South End, I share recipes that use what we keep in our pantries, the usual and not-so-usual ingredients that spice up our lives. Thanks so much for visiting.